Winless run against Thailand will not ‘own’ Lions, says Gavin Lee ahead of ASEAN Championship semis
It has been about 14 years since Singapore last beat Thailand. SINGAPORE: It has been about 14 years and 10 games since the Lions’ last victory over regional heavyweights Thailand, but Singapore head coach Gavin Lee said his team are not focused on past statistics but their looming ASEAN football championship semi-final first-leg clash. “All these numbers, it just gives you the context. It just
Source: Channel NewsAsia · August 14, 2026 at 4:53 PM · AI-assisted report
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Singapore’s Lions Target ASEAN Semi-Finals Against Thailand After 14-Year Winless Streak
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SINGAPORE — Singapore’s national football team, the Lions, face Thailand in the ASEAN Football Championship semi-finals on Saturday, seeking to end a 14-year winless streak against their regional rivals. Coach Gavin Lee emphasized that past records will not dictate the team’s approach, focusing instead on the upcoming two-legged tie.
The Lions last defeated Thailand in 2012, winning 3-1 in the first leg of the tournament final before losing 0-1 in the second. Since then, Singapore has played Thailand 10 times without a victory. The first leg of the semi-final will be held at Jalan Besar Stadium at 9pm on August 16, with the return match in Bangkok on August 18.
Lee dismissed the significance of historical statistics, stating, “All these numbers just give you the context. It informs you, but it doesn’t own us. If we allow the numbers to own us, then shame on us. It only informs us of the kind of challenge that we can expect.” He reiterated that the team’s sole focus is on the next match, describing it as their “responsibility.”
Thailand, ranked 94th in the world, enter the semi-finals in strong form, having topped Group B with four consecutive wins and a clean sheet. Coach Anthony Hudson acknowledged Singapore’s improvement, particularly after their performance in the Asian Cup, and stressed that his team will not underestimate their opponents.
“There’s a clear tactical idea when they play,” Hudson said. “We played them in November, and we got an understanding then that this is a different Singapore team.” He highlighted Thailand’s young, talented squad, including a strong forward line and midfield, backed by experienced defenders.
Despite Thailand’s dominance in recent meetings, Singapore secured their semi-final spot with narrow victories, including a 2-1 win over Cambodia, a 1-0 home win against Timor-Leste, a 0-0 draw with Vietnam, and a 1-1 result against Indonesia. They finished second in Group A behind defending champions Vietnam, who will face Malaysia in the other semi-final.
Ticket demand for Saturday’s match was exceptionally high, with all available seats sold out almost immediately. Scalpers capitalized on the scarcity, selling tickets online at inflated prices. Lee expressed hope that genuine fans would have secured tickets but acknowledged the strong support as a positive sign for the team’s growth.
“That shows you how much the team has grown,” Lee said. “The strength of this team is the team, but the fans are a big part of the team. Tomorrow night it will be so important that the team does the job. The fans will bring the noise, bring the emotions, and that’s what they will do.”
The Lions aim to leverage home advantage and fan support to secure a positive result before traveling to Bangkok. Both teams will be keen to advance to the final, with Thailand seeking to maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament.
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